Snow skiing training aid

ABSTRACT

A device for use in snow skiing instruction to communicate to the skier that the correct &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;legs together&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; position is not being maintained. The device provides a sensory signal, audible or tactile, to the skier, on movement of the skier&#39;&#39;s legs away from each other. A first embodiment includes an accordian pleated cylinder or bellows capable of generating a sound when it is compressed or released from a compressed state, a support plate mounted to the cylinder, and a strap connected to the support plate for mounting the entire device to the inside of one leg of the skier. A second embodiment includes an accordian pleated cylinder or bellows having a rod mounted therein for movement towards and into contact with the skier&#39;&#39;s leg when the bellows is compressed and for movement away from and out of contact with the skier&#39;&#39;s leg when the bellows is released from a compressed state.

United States Patent [191 Borraccio [111 3,774,572 [451 Nov. 27, 1973 4] sNow SKIING TRAINING-AID [76] Robert Borraccio, 7720 Stenton Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.

Filed: June 21, 1972 Appl. No.: 264,710

Inventor:

US. Cl. 116/67 R, 46/179, 84/376, 116/139, 273/183, 273/188 Int. Cl. G081) 3/00 Field of Search 116/67, 114, 139; 273/183, 183 8,188,188 A, 190, 190 A, 189R; 272/57 B; 84/170, 92, 375, 376, 379; 46/174, 175, 178, 179, 180, 181; 119/29, 96, 126, 127, 128

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1883 Gessner 8/1891 Dumer. 2,304,235 12/1942 Boots....i. v I 2,461,588 2/1949 Cooper 116/99 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 16,535 l2/1881" Germany.., 084/376 Primary ExaminerLouis J. Capozi Attorney-D. C. Roylance et a1.

ABSTRACT v A device for use in snow skiing instruction to communicate to the skier that the correct legs together" position is not beingmaintained. The device provides a sensory signal, audible or tactile, to the skier, on movement of the skiers legs away from each other. A first embodiment includes an accordian pleated cylinder or bellows capable of generating a sound when it is compressed or released from a compressed state, a

' support plate mounted to the cylinder, and a strap connected to the support plate for mounting the entire device to the inside of one leg of the skier. A second embodiment includes an accordian pleated cylinder or 3 bellows having a rod mounted therein for movement towards and into contact with the skiers leg when the bellows is compressed and for movement away from and out of contact with the skiers leg when the bellows is released from a compressed state.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SHEET Pmimmnm 191s 1 1 SNOW SKIING TRAINING AID The present invention relates to a device for use in snow skiing instruction, and more particularly, it relates to a signaling device which will communicate to a skier that the correct skiing position of legs together is not being maintained.

In skiing, the ultimate aim of the novice is to be able to ski parallel andeirecute a parallel turn. This type of skiing and turn is characterized by having the body positioned directly over the skis'with the skiers legs essentially together, both at the knees and the ankles, and

the skis together and parallel to each other. This type of skiing usually called skiing parallel, is recognized. as being highly efficient and basic to more advanced skiing techniques. 4 A

There are many techniquesof instruction for teaching a novice skier to ski parallel'and to execute a parallel turn. One technique includes initiating the novice skier in the so-called snow plow? position and turn.

The novice is then progressed to a stem christie tum and'finally to theparallel turn. Another technique. is-

the graduated length method, commonly called GLM. This method utilizes very short skis and attempts to place the novice into a parallel turn position initially.

Using either of these two techniques,'a basic requirement for the parallel turn is for the skier to maintain his legs together. Usually a novice skier is taught to concentrate uponholding his knees together. If this knees together position is maintained then, usually, the ankles and skis will also be positioned correctly; I Various mechanical aids and devices have been used in the pastto help people learn how to ski and perfect the parallel turn. These various devices have included apparatus, such as rods and lines,to connect the knees and/ or ankles of the skiertogether. Additionally, devices have been used to connect the skiers skis and/or ski boots together in a parallel position. However, although some of these devices are equipped with various means to disconnect the connection'between the skis, the ski boots, the knees or ankles when the skierfalls, this definitely has proved to be very dangerous in the instances where the disconnecting means has failed to operate. The likelihood of these disconnecting means failing to operate is great, due to the possibility of their freezing from contact withthe snow. I

In some ski areas, ski instructors now instruct their students to place a glove between their knees and to hold it there while they ski in order to help the students obtain and maintain the correct knees-together'position. The glove will drop to the ski slope when the knees of the skier are not .correctly positioned adjacent one another. Obviously, when the skier travels down the slope and his knees do happen to separate, the

glove falls to the snow. Usually the skier is not aware of this until he is 30 or 40 feet below the position on the serving where he is going and is a definite hazard to both himself and other skiers.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations and drawbacks associated with the aforesaid prior art techniques and devices and to providea new and improved device for teaching a skier to maintain the correct skiing position. I

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an audible or tactile signal means to communicate to the skier that the correct skiing position is not being maintained. I I

A further object of the present invention is to provide aski instruction training aid which will in no way endanger the skier who is using it.

Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of .the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG .-2 is a side elevation in partial section along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment in accordance with thev present invention;

' FIG. 3 is a side elevation in partial section along lines 2- 2 of FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention; I

' FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing'the second embodiment inv a compressed state; i

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a skier maintaining the proper skiing position and having a device in accordance with the present invention mountedto one leg adjacent the knee; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a skier using a device in accordance with the present invention and showing the incorrect skiing position wherein the device has communicated to the skier that his knees andther efore his legs and skis, have separated. r v

' The foregoing and other objects are attained in a first embodiment by providing an audible signaling device which consists generally of a compressible signaling element which is to be worn on one leg adjacent the knee or ankle of the skier and kept in a compressed position by the skiers legs when the correct legs-together position 'is maintained. When the knees or-ankles are moved apart, the signaling element is permitted to extend and delivers an audible signal to the skier. In this manner, the skier learns to keep his legs together.

' The first embodiment consists specifically of an accordian or bellows type cylinder carrying a noisemaker and capable of generating a squeak or whistle sound when the cylinder is compressed or released from a compressed state, a support plate mounted at one end of the cylinder, and a strap connectedto the support plate for mounting the entire device to the inside of one leg of the skier adjacent the knee or the ankle.

In the second embodimengthe cylinder carriesan elongated rod which is movable towards and into con- "tact with the skiers leg when the cylinder is comlonger together.

cylinder or bellows 31 and a noisemaker 33. The bellows 31 is in the form of a right cylinder having circular plates 34 and 35 mounted at and sealed to the respective' ends thereof. The bellows 31 is-completely airtight except for an aperture 32 centrally located in the plate 35. The bellows 31 is preferably formed from a resilient plastic material and can be compressed in the lengthwise direction to about one-fifth the uncompressed length. Because the bellows is formed from aresilient plastic and has an outer surface formed from a series of accordian type hinged or pleated portions 36, when a force delivered at each end to compress the bellows is released, the bellows will expand back to its uncompressed length. I

As seen in FIG. 2, mounted within the bellows 31, adjacent and surrounding the aperture 32, is a whistle or pneumatic noisemaking device 33. When the bellows 31 is either compressed or released from the compressed state, air will move through the aperture 32 and cause the whistle 33 to vibrate and emit an audible signal. The whistle '33 can be any suitable and conventional type of pneumatic noisemaking device, such as, for example, an air vibrated reed.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support plate 40 is a rectangular plate having an aperture 42 centrally located therein for receiving the end of the bellows 31 having aperture 32 therein. The bellows can be sealed to the plate 40 along the inner surface of the aperture 42 or the support plate can be formed integrally with one end of the bellows 3]. At each end of the support plate 40 is an elongated slot 43 for receiving the mounting means 50, as will be described hereinafter. The support plate can be made of pliable. plastic, or any suit- I automatically positions the bellows 31 so that it is 'perpendicularto the surface of the skiers leg to which it is mounted. The bellows 31 is adjusted so that it is parallel to a horizontal line connecting the skiers knees or ankles. The skier then positions himselfin the correct skiing position with his knees, skis and ankles aligned and together as seen in' FIG. 5. The movement of the skiers kneesor ankles together causes thebellows 31 to be compressed, which will provide a signal to the skier that he has obtained the correct position. A signaling at this time is useful because iteliminates the ne'- cessity of the skier having to visually check to see that the noisemaker is in'the compressed position. The skier then begins his skiing run down the ski slope. As viewed in FIG. 6, if at any time during his traverse or turning maneuvers the skiers knees are moved apart, the force compressing the bellows 31, i.e., the force exerted by the knees being kept together, is released. The release of this force allows the bellows 31 to expand to its uncompressed state. This expansion causes air to be drawn through the aperture 32 in the end of the bellows able material which can engage or be integally formed withv the bellows 31 and provide means for receiving suitable mounting means 50. The shape of the support plate can be as desired and can also be made to conform to the contour of the innerside of the'leg. Prefera- 'bly, the bellows 31 is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the support plate so it may be perpendicular to the surface of the leg to which the support plate will 1 be mounted. I

The mounting means consists of two straps 51 and 52 and a fastening device 53.. Oneendofeach strap passes through the elongated slots 43 in the support plate 40 and is folded back and rigidly secured to the main portion of the strap by means of rivets 54. The

other ends of the straps 51 and 52 are connected to I each other by means of any suitable fastening device such as a clasp orbuckle 53 as shown in FIGS. 1, and 2 or by means of a fabric connection such as that sold under the trademark VELCRO. Alternatively, the

straps 51 and 52 can be riveted direcly to or integrally 7 tion in a ski class or during practice by himself, fastens the device 20 in accordance with the first embodiment, by means of the mounting means 50, to one leg adjacent the knee or' ankle of one leg. The support plate 40 31 and provides an air flow across the whistle 33. This airflow causes the whistle to generate an audible sound or signal which indicates to the skier that his legs, in particular his knees or ankles, and therefore his skis, are no longer together. The immediate generation of such a signal, when the correct skiing position is lost, allows the skier to learn to keep the 'correctposition. Additionally, this learning process is conductedsafely since the skier need not be distracted from his view of the ski slope in order to observe whether or not his legs and skis are properly positioned. p

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment in' accordance with the present invention is shown. All of the structural elements and relationships preferably formed of a pliable plastic, is. rigidly mounted at one end 134, perpendicularly to the inside of the plate'34 at the center ofthe. plate. The length of probe. 133 is approximately equal to one half the uncompressed longitudinal length of the bellows 3 1 and the diameter of the probe is smaller than the aperture 32 in theplate 35, which plate is connected at the opposite end of the-bellows from the plate 34.

Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, when the bellows 31 is in the uncompressed state, the probe 133 will'be completely enclosed therein. As seen in FIG. 4, when the bellows 31 is compressed to less than half of its uncompressed Iength, the probe 133 will pass through aperture 32 and the end 135 of the probe will extend past the plane of plate 35. I v Although certain dimensions have been specified above, these are only by way of example, As long as one end of the probe may extend out of the aperture 32 bodiment, as seen in FIG. 5. The plate 35, containing the aperture 32, will lie snugly against the surface of the device in accorleg adjacentthe aperture 32.

This contact will result in a tactile sensation or pressure which will signal to the skier that his legs are tov gether. If, during the skiers skiingrun, his legs move apart, as seen in FIG. 6, th'elbellows 31 will be released from the compressed state and the plate 34 will move away from the opposing plate 35 Because the probe is mounted to the plate 34, it will move with that plate and cause the end 135 to move out of contact with the surface of the skiers leg. This loss of tactile contact'will signal to the skier that his legs have moved apart and that the correct skiing position is not being maintained. The immediate generation of such a signal, when the correct skiing position is lost, allows the skier to learn to keep the correct position.

While two advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For instance, rather than using a simple pneumatic noise generating device, a complex electrical circuit could be utilized which would indicate, by generating a sound through electrical means, that the skiers legs are no longer together.

What is claimed is: 1. A device for snow skiing instruction to indicate to a skier that his legs have moved apart, comprising;

first means for producing a sensation which the skier can detect;

second means, coupled to said first means and responsive to relative leg movement, for actuating said first means upon separation of the skiers legs; and

third means for attaching said second means to one l leg of a skier in a position so that one portion of said second mean's is moved by the other leg when the skiers legs are moved-together,

said second means being operative to actuate said first means when-the skiers legs are moved apart.v

2. A device, according to claim 1 wherein said second means includes.

a compressible bellows having an aperture at one 6 a pneumatic noisemaker carried by said bellows at said one end. i I l i I 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said first means provides a tactile sensation and includes an elongated rod carried by said bellows opposite said one end for movement into and out of contact with the skiers leg. 5. A device for skiing instruction to indicate to the skier that his legs have moved apart, comprising; a support plate;

a sensory signaling element capable of producing a sensation which the skier can detect;

means, coupled to said sensory signaling element and to said support plate, for actuating said sensory signaling element upon separation of the skiers legs; and

means for fastening said support plate to one leg of 'a skier in a position so that one portion of said means for actuating is moved by theother leg when the skiers legsare moved together,

said means for actuating being operative when the skiers legs are moved apart.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said means for actuating includes a compressible cylindrical bellows having an aperture at one end and wherein said signaling element includes an elongated rod carried by a compressible cylindrical bellows having an aperture at one end, wherein said pneumatic noisemaker is mounted to said bellows coincident with said aperture.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said support plate is connected to said bellows and wherein one end of said bellows fits into an aperture located in said support plate, and said support plate has one elongated slot located at each end for receiving said means for fastening.

10. A device according to claim 5 wherein said means for fastening includes a first strap connected at one end to said support plate; I a second strap connected at one end to said support plate; and means for connecting the other ends of said straps together. 

1. A device for snow skiing instruction to indicate to a skier that his legs have moved apart, comprising; first means for producing a sensation which the skier can detect; second means, coupled to said first means and responsive to relative leg movement, for actuating said first means upon separation of the skier''s legs; and third means for attaching said second means to one leg of a skier in a position so that one portion of said second means is moved by the other leg when the skier''s legs are moved together, said second means being operative to actuate said first means when the skier''s legs are moved apart.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second means includes a compressible bellows having an aperture at one end.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said first means provides an audible sensation and includes a pneumatic noisemaker carried by said bellows at said one end.
 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said first means provides a tactile sensation and includes an elongated rod carried by said bellows opposite said one end for movement into and out of contact with the skier''s leg.
 5. A device for skiing instruction to indicate to the skier that his legs have moved apart, comprising; a support plate; a sensory signaling element capable of producing a sensation which the skier can detect; means, coupled to said sensory signaling element and to said support plate, for actuating said sensory signaling element upon separation of the skier''s legs; and means for fastening said support plate to one leg of a skier in a position so that one portion of said means for actuating is moved by the other leg when the skier''s legs are moved together, said means for actuating being operative when the skier''s legs are moved apart.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said means for actuating includes a compressible cylindrical bellows having an aperture at one end and wherein said signaling element includes an elongated rod carried by said bellows for movement through said aperture.
 7. A device according to claim 5 wherein said sensory signaling element includes a pneumatic noisemaker.
 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said means for actuating includes a compressible cylindrical bellows having an aperture at one end, wherein said pneumatic noisemaker is mounted to said bellows coincident with said aperture.
 9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said support plate is connected to said bellows and wherein one end of said bellows fits into an aperture located in said support plate, and said support plate has one elongated slot located at each end for receiving said means for fastening.
 10. A device according to claim 5 wherein said means for fastening includes a first strap connected at one end to said support plate; a second strap connected at one end to said support plate; and means for connecting the other ends of said straps together. 